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“Seriously?”
“My mother’s idea.”
“Oh, I get that, too.” Now she laughed, shook her head, drank more coffee. “So you baked him cookies.”
“With a lot of help, but yeah, then I was going to drop them off at his house, but I saw the turrets.”
“It’s a great house.”
“It really is, and then Howl came running out, and I was so charmed, and Miles looked so baffled. I asked to see inside the turret. I still wasn’t going to act on the attraction, I just really wanted to see. Then I was leaving, and…”
“Oh, don’t stop now.”
“And I just felt what I felt was mutual, so I asked if he was attracted or interested, and he was so careful I figured I’d misinterpreted. But then he said I hadn’t, and we sort of talked through the situation and how to put that whole thing aside—mutually. Then I made my move, and one thing led to another.”
Morgan shrugged. “Is that helpful enough?”
“He’d never have told me all that. I’m glad you did.”
“If this is going to cause any problems… I don’t know what to do. The job, living here with my ladies, now Miles? It all makes me feel more myself than I have in so long. I don’t want to give any of it up.”
“Why would you? You’re an excellent manager, this is a lovely home that feels happy with it. And though as my brother, Miles can irritate the crap out of me, he’s an interesting man, with a strong moral code. I needed to know where you stood and how you felt, and why. Now I do, and can say this now sits as your personal business.”
“Good. Thanks. And whew. I know I’m probably not his usual type.”
“I don’t think he has one.”
“Well, I mean like that woman he was seeing not that long ago.”
“Carlie Wineman? Please.” Nell rolled her eyes. “I know a ladder-climber when I see one, and okay, I didn’t see it for a while. And I shouldn’t say any of this, but the hell with it. I’m now Miles’s sister, not head of Hospitality, and I’m going to say this. She’s gorgeous and knows how to show off her looks. She knows art and wine, skis like a champ, speaks French like a native.”
“None of this inspires self-confidence.”
“I’m not done. After a while—it took awhile, because she could be very charming—I realized Miles was a step up for her. Socially, financially. And more, she just liked the way they looked as a couple. Everything about her is about as deep as a rain puddle, except her vanity.”
“All right, maybe a dribble of self-confidence coming back.”
“I like you. I like you for Miles. I don’t know if this is just a sex thing, but—”
“I don’t know either.”
“Understandable. Once I got to know Carlie, I didn’t like her. And I really didn’t like her for Miles, and was thrilled when he broke things off. I do love my brother even when he pisses me off, which is with some regularity. I also piss him off with some regularity.”
“Because you’re so much alike.”
Over the rim of her cup, Nell shot a long, cool look. “Now you’ll piss me off.”
“You have to know that. You’re very self-aware. You came here because you wanted me to be comfortable and feel more in control. That’s kind and respectful. Miles is kind and respectful, he’s just more brusque about it. Liam’s more freewheeling, but you all get the job done, and well. Part of that’s work ethic, and part of it is a deep love for the family and the business it created.”
“Maybe you should’ve gone into psychology.”
“A good bartender is a psychologist who mixes drinks. Did you like that part of your training? Liam said you all trained in every area of the business.”
“Did he? Well, he’s right about that. I can’t say I liked the work, but I found the training valuable. It made me understand it’s a lot more than mixing those drinks.
“Now, though I’d like to just sit here for another hour in this spot—it reminds me what it is to relax—it’s not my day off. I have to go buy a wind chime, then get to work and let you get back to your day off.”
“I’m glad you came by.”
